More than 180 leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Bera upazila unit in Pabna resigned en mass yesterday, protesting the withdrawal of the Jamaat-backed candidate from the upazila poll and directives to support the BNP-backed candidate.
“The decision to resign en mass was made at an emergency meeting of the party’s local leaders, including the chairman candidate,” said Ataur Rahman, secretary of Jamaat’s Bera upazila unit.
He also said Bera upazila Jamaat Ameer Abdul Baten was chosen as Jamaat’s candidate to contest the upazila poll to be held on March 31 as there was a possibility of win in the party’s stronghold.
“However, on Friday morning, Jamaat-e Islami Pabna district Ameer Abdur Rahim asked Baten to withdraw his candidacy and directed him to work for the BNP-backed candidate in the area,” he added.
“Following the decision, Jamaat leaders called an emergency meeting and decided to resign en mass,” Ataur said.
Pabna district Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Jahurul Islam, however, said no instructions had been given for the withdrawal of Baten’s candidacy.
The withdrawal might have been a result of an intra-party feud among local leaders, he said, adding that he was not aware of the resignation.
